Selous Game Reserve Nov.-17.

Starting a new school project again for the third time made me again visit Tanzania early November 2017.  This was my 4th trip to this fabulous country and after finishing the agenda concerning the project, we had some holiday before going back. This time I visited Selous Game Reserve, which is the largest game reserve in Africa. Not being a national park means advantages and disadvantages. Good for visitors is the possibility to drive wherever you want and also get out of the car if you want/ need. A large part of the reserve is bushy which means it sometimes could be difficult to see the mammals. One superb thing is that you could do a boat trip on Rufiji River and look for hippos and crocs and of course some birds related to water. I spent 2 1/2 days here, sleeping at the new Selous Mapumziko Lodge which is about 15 min drive outside the park on the eastern side. This means lower prices as prices inside the reserve is high. My guide mentioned a lodge which costs around 2000 dollars/ night!!!!. Not for a teachers salary!

The first afternoon we took a boat ride which was very nice. We saw many hippos and also a few crocs.

I had some hope to find White-crowned Lapwing and Böhm's Bee-eater which both are special birds for this area and not easy to see at other places. White-crowned was easy and the lodge had two pairs of Bee-eaters breeding on its grounds.

The boat trip was also nice for weavers and kingfishers. The Af. Golden Weaver was common and breeding at this time and we also saw both Malachite and A. Pygmy Kingfishers along the river banks.

Selous is famous for the rare Wild Dog, which I unfortunately didn't see but of course we saw some other nice mammals as these Greater Kudus which is one of the biggest antelopes you can see. On its back you can also see Red-billed Oxpeckers.

The most numerous and common animals are the Warthogs, the Impalas and Giraffes which are plentiful all over the park.

I have now been on 5 different safaris but this was the first time we got stuck. We were lucky to have an other jeep just in front of us at this situation otherwise I don't know what had happened. 

There are 6 or 7 lakes which you pass when driving around in Selous. As usual many birds are attracted to this and a good place to spot them. The "umbrella bird" or the Black Egret which is the correct name, was very funny to watch when it walked around and pushing its wings like an umbrella to se the fishes better. The same type of behavior can also be seen by the Hammerkop.

As I said in the beginning, one of the highlights here in Selous is that you can drive wherever you want and get out of the car. Having lunch like this just make you want to get back.

Right next to my table I had some curios White-browed Sparrow-weavers and Lesser Blue-eared Starlings.

Other mammals seen were Spotted Hyena, Waterbuck and families of Baboons.

New birds on my life list included the Dickinson's Kestrel and Retz's Helmet-Shrike, both striking birds in their own way.

Some of the more common birds were Cut-throat Finch (juv), Af. Open-billed Stork and Emerald Spotted-Dove.

There were many of the classic colorful birds like Bee-eaters and Rollers. Here you can see White-throated Bee-eaters, Little Bee-eater and Lilac-breasted Roller

Raptors and Vultures were quite common but not easy to approach for good photos. However, these White-backed Vultures, a single young White-headed Vulture, a young Af. Hawk-eagle and an Af Fish-Eagle were cooperative enough for some decent photos.

When we stopped for some antelopes my eyes fell to this creature inside a bush. First I thought it was a bird but then realized it was a bat. This one,probably common here, is called Yellow-winged Bat and is just so beautiful.

An other new bird for me on this trip was this cute Collared Palm Thrush, which I saw about five times.

Driving around in a park/ reserve like this is just so nice. Usually not far between new birds makes the days go too fast. Here Fisher's Sparrow-Lark, Af. Grey Hornbill, Red-billed Oxpecker on a Giraff and a proud and stunning Saddle-billed Stork.

When I stopped at these birds I got confused as the were mating and in my opinion were different species. Sending this picture down to a member of Tanzania birds (org) and got the answer that the "blackheaded" bird is not a Burchell's Coucal but a hybrid between this and a White-browed Coucal, which is the second one. The crazy thing about this is that I saw one more mating pair at a total different location between the same type of birds.

Down here you can first see the list of the Selous Mapumziko Lodge and further down birds seen in the reserve itself, during 2 1/2 days. I had a great time and really recommend anyone to do the trip.

List for Mapumziko Lodge.

Af. Fisheagle
Egyptian Goose
Af Open-billed Stork
Af. Darter
Little Egret
Striated Heron
Goliat Heron
Trumpeter Hornbil
Af. Crow
Spot-flanked Barbet
Brown-breasted barbet
Af. Skimmer
Common Sandpiper
White-crowned Lapwing
Water Thick-knee
White-browed Coucal
Green Wood-Hoopoe
Square-tailed Drongo
Fork-tailed Drongo
Speckled Mousebird
Ring-necked Dove
Emerald-spotted Wood-Dove
Little Bee-eater
Böhms's Bee-eater
White-fronted Bee-eater
Malachite Kingfisher
Af. Pygmy Kingfisher
Pied Kingfisher
Giant Kingfisher
Mangrove Kingfisher
Lesser Striped Swallow
Barn Swallow
Wire-tailed Swallow
Af. palm Swift
Yellow-bellied Greenbul
Common Bulbul
Zanzibar Sombre Bulbul
Arrow-marked Babbler
Tropical Boubou
Black-backed Puffback
Winding Cisticola
Af. Paradise Flycatcher
Black-throated Wattle-eye
Lesser Blue-eared Starling
Peter´s Twinspot
Red-cheeked Cordon-bleu
Common Waxbill
Olive Sunbird
Collared Sunbird
Purple-banded Sunbird
Af. Golden Weaver
Lesser masked Weaver

Lake Victoria and Bagamoyo

In June 2017 I made a private visit to my friend Robert Shilingi who lives in Kibaha one hour west of Dar es Saalam. We had earlier decided to visit his home village Ukerewe which is in Lake Victoria. Going up there is really an adventure. Not many "white" people visit this area and my presence was quite an event for some of the locals. We flew from Dar to Mwansa and met a relative to Robert who should be our driver for the next 4 days. Robert wanted me first to see Saanane Island N.P which actually is the smallest N.P in Africa. It is a 30 min boat ride from Mwansa and not so many people around. As there are no dangerous animals on the island you are free to walk around as much as you want. There are som Zebras and antelopes but also some good birds.

The island is very beautiful with some patches of forest and also some peaks. I found the endemic Swamp Flycatcher at nest and at the highest peak I was surprised to find one Madagaskar Bee-eater.

On the way back down I felt lucky when I saw my first African Pygmy Kingfisher and at some rocks the stunning Cliff Chat.

The next morning we started the long drive  towards Ukerewe. Half way we stopped at the excellent Zeke Bay Lodge for lunch and some birding in the nearby areas. The bird thet was on the top of my list was the Three-banded Courser, which breeds here. A local guide gave me some directions and even if it took a while before I found it, it was worth it. What a gem!

The restaurant and the accommodation is in a perfect spot. Right here a saw this magnificent Eastern Paradise Whydah and a family of African Thrushes.

On bad roads we continued our trip and finally reached the ferry for Ukerewe. From there it was only a short ride to Robert's home village. A very nice experience to meet his relatives and be this far away from the standard routes for tourists. We walked through different plantations and also visited some historical sites. Here a saw some raptors, the very common Black Kite (Yellow-billed) and the less common Af. Harrier Hawk and a Western Banded Snake eagle which was a new bird for me.

Swimming in Lake Victoria is not advisable as both crocs and hippos call this lake their home. Taking nice walks along the shores is no problem though. I found both Swamp F.C and Af. Pygmy K.F. in the same bush and even if it's not a very good picture I still find it quite amuzing.

I also saw many herons and kingfishers and among them this Little Heron, Grey-headed Kingfisher and Pied Kingfishers.

One of my best experiences here was a visit to the nearby "fishing island". This place is a 45 minutes boat ride (hand powered by three local boys). Out here fishermen stay for several months and sleep and live under easy circumstances. All fishing is done by hand and takes both time and effort from these people.

Out here I also found some colonies of herons and weavers. Again a Little Heron and the local specialty, the Northern Brown-throated Weaver.

In some reed I also got close up to the local sunbird here, the Red-chested Sunbird as well as the Af. Reed-warbler.

In the ceiling at Robert's house I found these cute Ethiopean Epauletted Fruit-bats. These creatures continue to fascinate me.

We had three lovely days here before we took the big ferry back to Mwanza. At this ferry terminal I saw this Hadada Ibis and a lonely Af. Open-billed Stork.

As we returned to Kibaha for some more days and also visiting some students I know from our former exchange programs I also had the oppotunity to again visit Bagamoyo. I wanted to visit this area in summer time to have the chance of seeing some resident waders in breeding plumage. On my wanting list was both Kitltz's Plover and White-fronted Plover, which I both have seen many years ago, but only in dull winter plumages. My satisfaction was complete when I found both these stunners with help from a local boy who showed me where to go between the salt lakes here.

Not as high up on my list as I have seem then several times before were also this Water Thick-knee and the Three-banded Plover.

Not far from these salt lakes you find some nice bushy habitat where I found this White-fronted Bee-eater. The picture is not fullt sharp but I still find this photo one of my best.

Every-time I have visited Bagamoyo I have seen the gorgeous N. Carmine Bee-eater. This time in poor light and a dull telephone line but still one of the most beautiful birds to be found.

My last photo from this trip will be on this young Sulphur-breasted Bush-Shrike I saw next to Kibaha School. Asante sana, Tanzania!

Tanzania bird list June 2017

Excluding the most common/ frequent birds. (p) photo availible.

Around Kibaha edu. Center and the nearby water treatment areas.

 Af. Pygmy Goose               3                   (p)

Malachite KF                     2

Little Bee-eater                 10                 (p)

Common Scimitarbill        2

Af. Grey Hornbill               5-6

Red-fronted Tinkerbird   1

Spot-flanked Barbet         2 at nest

Mosque Swallow               5-6 breeding around the school

Zanzibar Sombre Bulbul  1-2                (p)

White-browed R-chat      1-2

Red-faced crombec          3-4                (p)

Sulphur-br Bush-shrike  2                   (p)

Grey-head Bush-shrike    1

Violet-backed Starling      4

Red-billed Quelea             2

Red-collared Widowbird 3 Males

Cut-throat Finch               2

 Bagamoyo salt plants (coastal and inland)

 White-face Wh-duck        7                                         (p)

Red-billed Teal                 15                                       (p)

Curlew sanpiper               +200

Terek sandpiper               2-3

C Greenshank                   +10

March sandpiper              5-6

Little Stint                          2 (one in breed plum)

Three-banded Plover      2                                         (p)

White-fronted Plover       5-6 + 10                            (p)

Kitlitz´s Plover                   2 + 6                                  (p)

Water Thick-knee             2 + 1                                  (p)

Pied KF                              +10                                    (p)

Long-tailed cormorant     2                                         (p)

Malachite KF                     1

Wh-fronted Bee-eater     3                                         (p)

E. paradise-whydah         2

 Ruvu-river Ranch (+bridge where highway cross)

Black-headed Batis           2

Amethyst Sunbird            1

Wh-browed Scrub-robi   1

Z Sombre Bulbul               2-3

Pin-tailed Whydah                                 3

E-Paradise-Whydah                              1

Several unidentified Cisticolas and whydas

Saanane NP

 Pied KF                              +50

Pygmy KF                          1                   (p)

Grey-headed KF               1

Little-Bee-eater                 10

Madagaskar Bee-eater     1                   (p)

Plain Martin                                            10

Spot-flanked barbet         2

Ruppel´s Robin-chat         2                   (p)

Cliff Chat                           2 + 2             (p)

Red-winged Starling        3                   (P)

Green-winged Pytilia       2

Green-ba camaroptera    2

Winding Cisticola              2

Red-chested Sunbird       1 male

N Brown-throated Wea   3                   (p)

Black Bishop                      10

Af. Fish-eagle                     2 

Speke Bay Lodge (only 2 hours spent around the lodge/ lunch)

 Three-banded Courser    2 at nest       (p)

Blue-naped Mousebird    2

Blue-ca Cordon Bleu        +10

Af. Firefinch                       1

Green-winged Pytilia       2

Grey-backed Fiscal           4

Chin-spot Batis                 1

Silverbird                          3-4

Swamp FC                         5                   (p)

Grey-capped warbler       3

Angola swallow                 20

Plain Martin                                            4

Stout Cisticola                   2                   (p)

Red-chested Sunbird       3                   (p)

E. Paradise Whydah         1                   (p)

Slender-billed weaver     +10               (p)

Ostrich                               6-7 (along the road)

Ukerewe Island

 Hammerkop                                            2

Pink-backed Pelican         1

Osprey                               2

Af. Harrier Hawk               2-3

W Band snake-eagle        1                   (p)

Af Grey Hornbill                3

Grey Kestrel                                            1

Pygmy KF                          3

Collared Sunbird              +10

Variable Sunbird              +5

Red-chested Sunbird       3-4                (p)

Black-billed Barbet           2                   (p)

Brown-thro wattle-eye    1

Grey-capped warbl          1

Yellow-bel eremomela     2

Swamp Fc                          +5                 (p)

Winding Cisticola              2-3

Yellow White-eye             2 + 2

Swahili Sparrow               3-4

Grey-h sparrow                3

 

                     

 

 

 

 

Thailand Dec 16

From December 22:nd I went to Thailand with my family  on a classic family holiday. We stayed 4 days in Bangkok (from where I went to Pak Thale with a hired guide) and 8 nights in Ao Nang close to Krabi. We also spent 2 nights on the bus down and up this location. A 24 seater is a cheap and decent way to travel during night as the seats are quite comfortable. You also save the money for two hotel nights this way.

Going down to Krabi I had planned some biding of course. Down here you have Krabi river mouth, mangroves close up for some good birding. I hired a boat man for a couple of hours and took a walk to look for shore birds. I didn't´t come up close at this location and one of few birds that came close was this Common Greenshank. I´d hoped for Nordmann´s but lack of time and long distances made me go back without seeing it.

We also took a walk in a nearby village where I saw this cattle and Cattle Egret together. It was a pretty nice walk  and I also saw (among others) a few Brown Shirkes.

One hour from Krabi is KNC which is world wide known to be the only location for Gurney´s Pitta. I realized my chances were small as I had no guide and timing of the year not good. Tragically this spot is destroyed by all tourists that come for the Emerald Pool which also is located here. They have closed down all the trail and made it a tourist trap. This model of the Pitta is probably the closest any birder will come from now on.

Almost deserted from birds because of all screaming people I saw I few nice Golden Orb Spiders and this handsome Malayan Tree Nymph.

On the way back we stoped at Tiger Temple just north of Krabi town. Here I had a few hours of good birding and among others I saw this beautiful Blue Whistling Thrush and a group of 10 Chestnut-headed Bee-eaters and at the temple several families of Long-tailed Macaques.

As I had rented my own car we were quite free to make our own decisions. I booked one night up in Khao Sok National Park for just me and my daughter. We stayed at the very nice Tree tops just at the border to the park. Birding was quite slow in the jungle but around the headquarter I saw some birds like this Wallace´s Hawk Eagle and a pair of Bar-winged Flycatcher Shrikes.

The view from the restaurant at Tree Tops, very cosy. 

Inside the park we met a family of Spectacled Langurs which are very cute indeed. One of them carried a new born baby which was light brown in color.

At the western side of Ao Nang is Hat Nopparat Thara. This is a river mouth and when the tide is low there usually are some shore birds. About 50 Lesser and Greater Sand Plovers were here and made a good time of study as these birds (especially in non-breeding plumage) can be quite tricky. I hope I made the right decision below. First 3 Lesser and then 3 Greater.

While taking these photos I saw a much brighter birds alone further away. Thinking it was Kentish Plover (nominate) made me later realize it was a White-faced Plover. This bird is still a race of the Kentish but is by some taxonomists regarded as a full species.

Just next to it was this Common Sandpiper and in the trees next to the beach these cute Collared Kingfishers.

Staying at Ao Nang means you have to take some boat trips to the nice islands further out. Out here you will probably have no problem seeing Brahminy Kite and perhaps Pied Imperial Pigeon.

If you ever go here I can recommend Green View Resort, where we stayed. A nice garden and some interesting habits close by. Among the more common was this Brown-throated Sunbird.

We went back to Bangkok for a few days. Long before I had booked a guide to take me to Pak Thale which is the only decent place to see the magic Spoon-billed Sandpiper. I have never been so nervous in my life for a birding trip as this morning. After a couple of hours driving we reached the location and had a very rustic breakfast in a tented shed where a local woman sold fish soup for 10 Swedish Crowns. Hong, my polite and kind guide brewed some coffee for me.

As the sun started to rise we made our way towards the small salt lakes where all the waders like to rest and feed. The morning was quite windy and the flocks of birds restless in their behavior. At one spot we found a flock of about 500 Red-necked Stints which we started to look through. At one momentI had a brief look at one Spoon-billed which was quite a relief, but of course I wanted a better look. Suddenly all the shore birds took off and we had to move to other spots. Hong´s local friend and expert Lang also came along for our mission to see it better. The wind became calmer and so did the birds and after some looking we found not only one but three Spoon-billed Sandpipers. The first was at rest and we were not sure if it was one because of the resemblance of the Red-necked Stint. But as it woke up it turned and I had a very good look at the magic bill, what a moment! I have probably dreamt about this bird for 25 years. The picture is not mine but Hong´s as our bird was a little bit to far out for a picture.

You can see how happy I was on the next photo.

The rest of the day we spent driving around and looking for other species I hadn't on my list, like Three-toed Stint which was quite plentiful. We saw 2 Asian Dowitchers as well but too far away for decent photos.

As a shore bird enthusiast, this is heaven. I could easily spend several days looking at these and learn more about plumages and behavior. Many species are

known from my home but still nice to see in this incredible mix. As follows; Black-tailed Godwit, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Ringed Plover, Wood Sandpiper and Common Greenshank. The last is showing a Spotted Redshank and a Ruff.

The next bird confused me as I'm not very familiar to see a Broad-billed Sandpiper in this plumage.

Birds possible in Sweden but seldom seen was March Sandpiper and Red-necked Stint (the 2nd picture together  with a Curlew Sandpiper).

Only once before I have seen the Pacific Golden Plover so this one was a nice pick.

At one salt pond I saw this flock of Black-naped Terns, which had a behavior I hadn't seen before. They were hovering almost like a hummingbird and just picking at the surface for food.

This Slender-billed Gull was the only one we saw and is quite uncommon here.

One of the most common bird here was the Black-winged Stilt but still an awesome beauty.

A few hundred meters inland there is some more marcy areas were I saw this Pond Heron, which I don´t dare to say which species it is in this plumage.

My last picture from this trip is on a pair of dancing Little Egrets saying bye for now!

Birds list by location

Green View resort
Whie-browed Waterhen 4, Chinese Pond-heron 1, Asian Palm Swift 5-6, Brown Shrike 2, Blue Whistling Thrush 1, Streak-eared Bulbul 2-4, Common Tailorbird 2-3, Olive-backed Sunbird 5-7, Brown-throated Sunbird 2-3, Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker, Oriental Magpie-robin 2-3, Red-rumped Swallow about 10
4-islands, Poda: Blue Rock-thrush 1, Blue and White Flycatcher 1, Yellow-browed warbler 1, Dark-sided Flycatcher 1, White-bellied Sea eagle 3, Brahminy Kite7-8, Pied Imperial Pigeon 4.
Krabi River including local village: Brown-winged Kingfisher 1, Collared Kingfisher 1, Common Snipe 3-4, Pintail Snipe 1-2, Wood sandpiper 1, Asian Koel 1, Green-billed Malkoha 1, Dollarbird 1, Indian Roller 2, Richard´s Pipit 1, Oriental reed Warbler 1.
River mouth: Great Knot 10, Black-tailed Godwit 25, L Sand Plover 150, Gr Sand Plover 20, C Greenshank 10, Sanderling 1, Ruddy Turnstone 2, Terek Sandpiper 20, Eu curlew 40.
Mangrove Walk:  Common tailorbird 1, Ashy tailorbird 1, Oriental White-eye 1, Arctic Warbler 1, Yellow-browed warbler 1.
Tiger cave: Mountain Hawk-Eagle 1, Black-capped Kingfisher 1, Chestnut-headed Bee-eater 10, Blue Whistling Thrush 3, Crimson Sunbird 1 male, Vernal hanging Parrot 2, Bar-winged Flycatcher-Shrike 2, Grey Wagtail 1, Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker 2, Olive-backed Sunbird 6, Coppersmith Barbet 1, House Swift 3,
Hat Nopara Thara: Gr Sand Plover 10, L Sand Plover 35, White-faced Plover 1, Common Sandpiper 1, Collared Kingfisher 2, White-throated Kingfisher 1.
Khao Sok N.P: Blyth´s Hawk Eagle 1, Grey-eyed Bulbul, Streak-eared Bulbul, Arctic Warbler 2, Pale-legged Warbler 2, Yellow-breasted Warbler 2, Asian Brown Flycatcher 1, Brown-streaked Flycatcher 2, Grey Wagtail 1, Moustashed Babbler 1, Bar-winged Flycatcher-Shrike 2, Scarlet-backed Flowerpecker 2, Orange-bellied Flowerpecker 2.
Pak Thale: Spoon-billed Sandpiper 3, Red-necked Stint 500, Long-toed Stint 30, Curlew Sandpiper 10, Broad-billed Sandpiper 10, Eu. Curlew 300, Black-tailed Godwit 200, C. Greenshank 40, Asian Dowitcher 2, L Sand Plover 200, Gr Sand Plover 25, Marsh Sandpiper 30, Wood Sandpiper 30, Pacific Golden Plover 3, Little Ringed Plover 20, Ruddy Turnstone 3, Black-winged Stilt 300, Black-naped Tern 40, Brown-headed Gull 200, Slender-billed Gull 1, Little-Intermediate and Great Egret (all common), Purple Heron 1, Red-collared Dove 2, Oriental Sky Lark 3-4, Brown Shrike 2 and 1 male Watercock.

 

California Nov-16

The last week in November I went to Los Osos, California to see my friend Jim who lives there. The main reason was actually because my son should do some internship there for a couple of weeks and needed my assistance to get there. As Jim had a normal working week, we didn't bird together  more than a few days. My first day was a Sunday though, so this day we birded around Los Osos. The day was quite windy and at Morro Rock we did some sea watching and saw many Loons, Ducks and Shorebirds. Here Jim scanning the sea and below a juvenile Black Oystercatcher.

In the bay we saw some Gulls chasing a Sea Otter which had a clam on its breast, which was quite an amazing event. 

We then continued to the wetlands further in where we had good views of Bushtits and Am. Pipits, Cooper´s Hawk and also a wintering Hermit Thrush.

This area is full of birds and even if I have seem them all before it´s still very nice making acquaintance with all these birds. Here both Say´s and Black Phoebe, House Finches and a Northern Flicker.

I also spent some time for myself which was great. The places I visited was almost deserted and I really enjoyed it. The first time I met Jim he took me to the Carrizo Plain which is a plateau a couple of hours drive from his home. Up here the landscape is steril but still holds lots of stunning birds. One of the first birds that showed up was the awesome Mountain Bluebird.

While taking photos of the Bluebird I realized the fields were full of birds. Hundred of Horned Larks were present and also different sparrows showed up. Here Savannah and the cute Lark Sparrow.

Also some raptors showed up and this Red-tailed Hawk seemed especially interested in me.

As you drive up here you will soon reach the salt lake (completely dry) where a specialty lives in the low brushes, the Sage Sparrow of which I was fortunate to see a family.

I searched in vain for Mountain Plover, which I saw last time here but many other birds showed well as this Ferruginous Hawk which together with the feeling of chosen loneliness ended a fantastic day

Next day I planned to walk the spit all the way to the jetty at Morro Rock. From the parking this is a very strenuous walk (I didn't´t understand how far it was until I reached the jetty). However, knowing I had good chance of seeing a Black Scooter (which has been observed earlier) in good light together with the knowledge of hundreds and hundreds of shore birds made it an easy choice. As you can see on the first photos they were plentiful and I had 7km of beach all for myself (talk about being privileged). You see the silhouette of Morro Rock at the horizons.

As shore birds are one of the groups of birds you like the most, this is just paradise. Long-billed Curlews and Marbled Godwits were plentiful and here I have two photos with their "faces" straight towards me, which makes it a little bit confusing which one is which. The third picture showing some Godwits at "take of".

Not so plentiful but easy to see was Grey Plovers and Western Sandpipers.

Even though the sanderling is more beautiful in breeding plumage they are very handsome in winter plumage looking almost as snow balls at the beach, here one alone sleeping.

Next picture shows a Dunlin, Sanderling and a Western Sandpiper which in a way is educational.

Also present in small number was the Samipalmated Plover which resembles the Common Ringed Plover we have here in Europe.

One of my absolute favorites is the Snowy Plover. The combination of the look and its peculiar behavior of running and "hiding" in small potholes when you approach is funny.

Turning my face towards the sea I saw many ducks and scooters and the Turkey Vulture patrolled the beach constantly.

I was very tired but happy when I returned to my car. By the way, I saw the Black Scooter but it was too far out for a decent photo.
Next day I decided to drive north towards to the Elephant Seal colony at  San Simeon. My first stop was San Simeon Creek Campground where I walked the beach for an hour. Again I saw many Snowy Plovers but also some Ducks and gulls like this stunning Bufflehead. While walking the spit I saw some Least Sandpipers but this individ was not taking much notice on me.

I´ve been at the seal colony a couple of times before but it´s a pleasure to see them every time. Quite a few this time of the year but many were sleepy.

On the way back I stopped at Estero bay, Cayucos Point which is a splendid spot for "rocky shore birds". I had hoped to see wandering Tattler, which I only have seen briefly before, but no, the seems to be scarcer here than before. I saw one Surfbird and a group of Black Turnstones.

Next day Jim took a half day off and we drove to Avila Beach south of Los Osos. This is a very pleasant place I can recommend anybody to make a stop at. We were looking for a Red-naped Sapsucker that had been seen before but we had no luck. Normally quite secretive this Wrentit seemed to liked the sun which gave good opportunities for photos. Close by a Western Scrub Jay also enjoyed the sun.

In a small inlet I saw this Western Grebe.

We also birded Spooner´s Cove just south of Los Osos and saw some common but nice birds like these White-crowned Sparrows (ad + 1:st winter) and the Golden-crowned Sparrow which winters here.

Some more birds that enjoyed the heat of the sun was this Common Yellowthroat, Hutton´s Vireo and California Quail.

I had a fantastic week and I pass my best regards to Jim and Celeste for their outstanding hospitality.

 

Utklippan

Utklippan, which means "Outer Rock" is one of the most amazing places on earth, I can say it though I have traveled to many places around our fantastic earth. It´s situated one hour by bout south of the town Karlskrona in the southern landscape (county) of Blekinge. It´s the last outpost in the archipelago but you will see land easily on a clear day. Her you can see the light house which was actually built by convicts in 1840. It was manned until 1972.

Today it is a fantastic place for birds and also a very good station for banding birds. I have spent something between 150-160 nights here since my first year 1991. Only one week has been spent during spring migration which is a shame but never the less, a week in the middle of fall is a splendid break from work and also the peak time for rare migrants from the east. Here you can see a lifer for me, the Dusky Warbler and the quite common Chiffchaff (good way to see the difference). Below all the lucky and happy guys who are celebrating this great event.

When you visit Utklippan for birding you stay in what used to be the home for the workers who took care of the fire/ light house in the past. It´s very rustic but extremely comfy and perfect for this type of experience. There´s no running water and just a classic "dry" toilet in a shed. There is a wood heated sauna where you can clean yourself and just relax after a hard days work with banding. Here you can see Christer, on of the icons of this island, when he´s repairing the sign.

298 species have been seen on the island which is an amazing high number for a place that many inland species will not reach. In fall tens of thousands geese and ducks migrate through on a good day and many passerines stop to rest. That´s why you can band many birds on a good day. During a few times I have been here when we have banded more than 1000 birds in one day. Myself has been part of banding of 93 different species while almost 200 species have been banded through all years. Some more common species are Goldcrest, Blackcap, Goldfinch and Lesser Whitethroat.

I have had both my children with me here and also for them this has been a great place with many experiences and memories. Here you can see my son (when he was young) in full storm and my daughter with a Sparrow Hawk in her hand.

During a good day you have to work really hard to make everything work as expected. It´s then nice to relax when things have calmed down a little.

Usually during late fall some owls show up. Here the most common, the Long-eared Owl and more seldom the Short-eared Owl.

The weather really can differ from day to day but each day has its own beauty.

When you have caught a bird you need to measure it and give it a ring. Here I am supervising my daughter and her friend Emma. Later you can see these happy girls with a Willow Warbler and a Robin.

What you hope for among all the common species is a rare one. If the weather and winds are right you quite often get at least on rare bird every week. Here the very rare breeder in northern Sweden, the Little Bunting and a Pallas´s Leaf Warbler from further  east.

From early October usually some Purple Sandpipers show up. Depending on how the winter is they might  stay here until next year. This picture is taken on a rainy and windy day when they flew in to the "main island" to seek shelter and food.

Sometimes flocks fly into the nets together and then it´s best for them to be released at the same time. Here a bunch of White Wagtails.

Utklippan consists of two bigger islands with a lagoon in the middle where the boats can be tied safely during stormy days and nights. If you want to go to to the other one you need to row across the lagoon. There are some nets there as well and our Dusky warbler was actually caught there. Here you can see me and Emma walking towards the boat.

Not only birds are present here. Also some rare frogs and toads call this island home. Here a Agile Frog.

Sitting on the veranda and se the sun go down after a good day is very nice a you feel humble to the beauty of this island and the privilege to be here.

I finish my story of this lovely island with an old picture of me and my son just before the release of some Bohemian Waxwings and the silhouette of some birders taking out as much as possible of the last light for the day.